Victims of crime celebrate survival and healing

Patricia Wenskunas, at left, CEO and founder of Crime Survivors, Inc., embraces Susan Sengezer at the 2013 Crime Survivors Dove Release and Hopeful Healing Day. Sengezer is an author and internet talk show host of Soul Sister. She is a survivor of sexual and physical abuse. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

TUSTIN – The children got their faces painted with colorful designs while their parents greeted each other as if they had not seen each other in years. The joyful reunions came out of painful experiences.

People told stories of sexual assault, domestic violence, murder and child abuse to an audience of fellow survivors and family members. Then, one by one, they released a dove into the air to symbolize breaking free from feeling like victims.

Crime Survivors, Inc. of Irvine hosted its annual Survivors Dove Release & Hopeful Healing Day on Saturday at the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope.

About 200 people who have experienced crime were there, many of them wearing shirts and buttons with the names and photos of lost loved ones.

Patricia Wenskunas said everyone at the event was there to help and be helped.

Wenskunas said she founded Crime Survivors, Inc. in 2003 after she was drugged, attacked and threatened with death by a man she knew. He served 120 days in jail.

“There’s a difference between living as a victim and as a survivor,” Wenskunas said. “I think I lived a part of my life as a victim. Now I live my life to help other people.”

The organization helps crime victims throughout Southern California interact with police, get legal help and recover physically and emotionally.

The path is to go from victim to survivor, Wenskunas said.

Jennifer Lundy’s 3-year-old daughter Brittany was murdered in 1993 by a man living with her family. The attacker was convicted and sentenced to prison.

“Four years ago, when I found Crime Survivors, I learned what the word survival really means and now it’s what I’ve been doing,” Lundy said.

“I’ve continued on and I made a positive impact on my life.”

Also present was Ron Thomas, father of Kelly Thomas, the 37-year-old mentally ill homeless man who was fatally beaten by two former Fullerton police officers in July 2011.

“For me, it’s a big difference,” Thomas said of attending the event this year. “Next month, trial is set to begin for the officers.”

Thomas and his wife wore shirts reading “Justice for Kelly.” They have been attending the healing day events for the past three years, Thomas said. He and his wife released a dove in honor of Kelly.

The release of the doves usually happened during the Crime Survivors Run/Walk Health & Safety Expo. Wenskunas said the event was rescheduled for April to coincide with National Crime Victims’ Rights week.

The cheery atmosphere turned solemn when the 40 survivors and families of murder victims lined up to each set a dove free.

Patricia Wenskunas, at left, CEO and founder of Crime Survivors, Inc., embraces Susan Sengezer at the 2013 Crime Survivors Dove Release and Hopeful Healing Day. Sengezer is an author and internet talk show host of Soul Sister. She is a survivor of sexual and physical abuse. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Silvia Gonzalez, of Huntington Beach, takes part in the 2013 Crime Survivors Dove Release and Hopeful Healing Day at the Orange County Rescue Mission Saturday. Gonzalez is a domestic violence survivor. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jennifer Lundy, right, releases a dove with her son Justin, 12, and Kaitlyn, 15. Lundy's 3-year-old daughter was murdered 20 years ago. Her daughter Kaitlyn, who was celebrating her birthday, was born five years and two days after the crime. "I'm releasing the anger. You have to let it go and find peace," Jennifer said. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Patricia Wenskunas, left, CEO and founder of Crime Survivors, Inc., watches Guadalupe Alvarado release a dove in honor of her son Jeffrey, who was murdered in 2008. The case has still not been solved. She was at the 2013 Crime Survivors Dove Release and Hopeful Healing Day at the Orange County Rescue Mission in Tustin. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Marie Dominguez wipes away a tear during a ceremony honoring crime victims at the OC Rescue Mission in Tustin. Her grandson James Dominguez was shot to death in Wilmington and his murder remains unsolved. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jennifer Lundy got a tattoo honoring the 20-year anniversity of her 3-year-old daughter Brittany Rethorn-Riggs murder. She loved to dress as a cowgirl and dance to the country song, "Achy Breaky Heart," Lundy said. She was at the Crime Survivors Dove Release and Hopeful Healing Day in Tustin. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Elizabeth Rivas, of Huntington Beach, a domestic violence survivor, releases a dove at the Hopeful Healing Day in Tustin. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jennifer Lundy, right, with her son Justin, 12, and daughter Kaitlyn, 15, kisses a dove before it is released. She was honoring her daughter Brittany Rethorn-Riggs, who was murdered 20 years ago at age 3. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Doves fill the sky after being released during the 2013 Crime Survivors Dove Release and Hopeful Healing Day in Tustin Saturday. MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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